The honest answer is yes!

I hate to say it, as we are in the business of selling the darn things, but society has a "left over stigma" from the canes of the past fifty years.

The "stigma" comes from the aluminum adjustable canes supplied by hospitals and medical supply stores.

These were creaky, clunky, noisy and institutional looking things to say the least. No wonder they caused such a stigma in public. So you may ask, how did this come about?

Early in the 1900's we changed the way we view canes. It is disappointing that canes began to be viewed as a medical device only, which is why so little attention was placed on the appearance of canes available for many years.

Early in the 20th century the stigma of using a cane was the result of those injured in the wars being supplied with basic ugly canes from institutions.

This, combined with the economic conditions of the times, resulted in most canes being typical wooden crook canes, then later aluminum institutional style canes.

This is where the current stigma of using a cane began. They were awful looking, hard to use ,poorly sized and their construction was, well... garbage when compared to canes today.

Here is what may be an all too familiar story.
My wife Margo was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis several years ago.

As with most autoimmune disease, the period of diagnosis is long and often painful since they have to test drug regiments to find one(s) that work to keep the pain and damage to joint and organs at bay, so you can lead a semi-normal life.

I will spare you the whole story, here is one example of the pain she was experiencing. I heard crying in the middle of the night. The combination of the joint pain and back spasms were taking their toll on her ability to perform normal tasks.

Turns out the crying was because she could not walk to the washroom by herself and was embarrassed and in terrific pain. I awoke to find her on the floor, clutching the end of the bed, because walking without any assistance was too much that night.

She clearly needed a cane to help with walking, as I would not always there to carry her.

She stopped at a typical medical supply store and picked up a very institutional looking aluminum cane. Standard offset adjustable in hospital blue.

She hated the thing right from the start.
She is a Teacher and in the quiet hallways of her elementary school, this cane creaked, rattled, groaned and sort of pinged as she walked. It made her feel old and disabled and seemed to give the same impression to her faculty and students alike.

She was embarrassed at the noises it made and the look of it made her feel self conscious. She did not want anyone feeling sorry for her.

I became concerned.

She needed to use a cane to handle the joint damage caused by the RA and not using it could cause a fall or further injure to those joints.

It was an ugly mobility device and soon was left in her car in the mornings. Later it was left at home and since I work from home, I noticed.

Walking without a cane was not a suitable solution and never is, period!

I looked online and found two canes that had some style and elegance to them. One a dark burgundy color with a derby handle and the other a wood cane with a spiral carved around the shaft.

They arrived in a couple of days from Canes Canada and she loved them right away. I measured her and cut them to size and she was off to the races, so to speak.

This was a big step forward in style and she enjoyed using them each day. She receives compliments on her cane choice now and then, which is flattering.
We later approached this little Cane and Hiking stick company to purchase the business. The owners were struggling to grow the business, so we took on the challenge and added more selection and the new web store, plus faster better customer service.

Nowadays
canes & walking sticks offer better support than ever, are safer, stronger, and way more stylish than what has been available the past 50 years.

Canes & walking sticks are now a fashion statement. There are products made for both men and women, exotic woods, attractive patterns, brass & chrome handles and much much more.

If you go back to the end of the 18th century, Canes & Walking Sticks were considered a must have accessory for men and women. They added to one's personal statement and were meant to impress and support at the same time.

We are really moving back to those times again. Formal canes & walking sticks, turned and machined canes, rainbow colors, bright & bold patterns and so many new handle styles offers a cane user so much to chose from today.

There is no reason to feel the stigma of using a cane that does not suit your personality or makes you feel old or disabled.

Like I said above, with the right cane you will get compliments, not stares. When sized properly with the right handle selection, canes can ease your discomfort and assist with activity needed for better health and daily life.

Canes Canada takes pride in helping our clients understand that a cane is more than a medical aide in this modern era.

A cane no longer suggests age, weakness, infirmity, but rather is an accessory to enhance your wardrobe while at the same time enhancing mobility to keep you safe and active.

Visit our SALE page for great deals on Canes, walking & hiking sticks today only while supplies last.